Prison Reintegration Works As It Reduces number Of Re-offenders - Saifuddin

SUNGAI PETANI, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- The recidivism rate among former prisoners who participated in the prison reintegration programme is very low, at only one relapse for every 800 prisoners released, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

According to him, the rate demonstrates that the reintegration programme implemented by the Malaysian Prisons Department is highly successful.

"For those (former prisoners) who are outside that we have integrated into the community, our records show that for every 800 who have completed their sentences, only one re-offends.

"In comparison, among 100 prisoners released by prison institutions without a reintegration programme, 13 (former prisoners) re-offend and end up back in prison," he said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating the Kampung Angkat (Adopted Village) MADANI Corrective Community Programme of the Malaysian Prisons Department in Kampung Teluk Nipah in Kota Kuala Muda near here today.

According to Saifuddin Nasution, the reintegration programme is eligible for prisoners convicted of minor offences and sentenced to imprisonment for less than three years, allowing them to be given various training, including in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

He emphasised that the reintegration programme, which is being carried out at prison centres, not only helps reduce prison overcrowding but also lowers prison operational costs.

"We have 41 prisons with a current inmate population of 87,000, including 29,000 remand detainees awaiting trial. Our prison capacity is only around 72,000 to 73,000 people, but the inmates are counting 87,000, so what does that mean? Overcrowding.

“But if we can place them outside in the reintegration premises, this will ease prison congestion,” he also said.

-- BERNAMA